Sports news from Los Angeles and beyond

Ducks edge Kings in shootout, 2-1

The Ducks' Saku Koivu tied the score against the Kings late in the third period and then scored the game-winner in a shootout to give the Ducks a 2-1 victory Saturday at Staples Center.

The loss puts the Kings' magic number at three as they try to clinch their first playoff berth since 2002.

The Kings took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Jack Johnson's power-play goal, and the lead held up until 1:32 remained in the game when Koivu scored a six-on-four goal when the Ducks, already on a power play, pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker.

When Koivu came through again in the shootout, it gave the Ducks their eighth victory in the last 11 games. The Ducks, still not eliminated from the playoff race, are four points out of the final Western Conference playoff spot with four games left.

-- Robyn Norwood

Photo: Anaheim's Saku Koivu scores the game-tying goal against the Kings with 1:32 to play in the third period Saturday night. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Associated Press